The South African National Taxi Council has decided that it will not be taking part in the planned national shutdown next week Monday, March 20.
The EFF planned the shutdown in attempts to protest against loadshedding and to have President Cyril Ramaphosa resign.
The SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) refuses to participate in the EFF’s planned shutdown on Monday. It stated that “the economy is already messed up and we don’t want to be adding more fuel to the fire”.
Santaco national spokesperson Bafana Magagula said the economy had already been “knocked down” by the Covid-19 pandemic, high inflation rate, fluctuating petrol prices and recent taxi fare increase.
“We are looking at the shutdown as more of an injury to the economy. Firstly, we are not even part of planning that strike, and our drivers are fully aware that we don’t condone the shutdown at all,” Magagula said.
He said there were more than 250 000 Santaco-affiliated drivers and that all of them have agreed that they would not participate in the shutdown.
The association shared that it was very happy drivers do not want to participate in the shutdown. Drivers have been cautioned to drive carefully in certain areas.
“We are more than certain that out drivers can defend themselves should they come under attack by people taking part in the shutdown”, Magagula said.
Responding to the threats made by EFF to shut down the country, Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe warned that police will be visible and on high alert.
There will be no national shutdown. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) is aware of a planned protest that will be taking place on Monday, and we are assuring [people] that we have put measures in place to ensure the safety and security of all people living in the country,” Mathe said.
It will be business as usual for businesses and services that are open to the public.
Mathe also warned that, any action in contravening the law will be dealt with accordingly.
Members of the public have been urged to refrain from spreading and sending messages encouraging citizens to join the protest.
Mathe said that no lawlessness and acts of criminality will be tolerated and if people are found to be looting, or destructing any private or public property; they will be dealt with accordingly within the ambit of the law.
National, provincial, and municipal road barricades or blockades will not be allowed, according to the police.
“We are urging parents whose schoolchildren will be home to encourage them not to involve themselves in any forms of criminality. A criminal record will hamper their ability to secure employment in future,” Mathe added.
